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Trust vice chairman David Craig reports on a meeting between Trust board members and executives of Cardiff City on Saturday, December 12, 2015

The Trust Board felt that, with changes to insolvency law, the imminent publication of the report of the Government Expert Working Group on football governance and the shareholders’ meeting announced by the club, the time was right for a meeting with the club’s management.

In attendance were Mehmet Dalman (Chair), Ken Choo(Chief Executive), David Beeby (Company Secretary) and Trust Chair, Tim Hartley, Keith Morgan (Finance Officer) and David Craig (Vice-Chair).

Tim suggested that the issues identified by the Trust were interlinked and that it would be helpful for the club and the supporters to discuss them. He said that the Expert Working Group Report is likely to emphasise the need for transparency about ownership of clubs and the value of having a structured relationship with fans which could include a supporter director on a club’s board.

Keith highlighted the changes to insolvency law and how they might impact on a football club’s financial activities and responsibilities.

Mehmet told us that the club had already started on a review of the club’s management board, the number of directors and their roles. He said that Vincent Tan is involved in this discussion. Mehmet reported that the inclusion of a supporter director would be considered as part of this review.

He did not envisage any problems for the club arising from the changes to insolvency law. The club has lawyers looking into the issues of transparency in its arrangements and that there is still concern about the high level of players’ wages which is compromising the ability to balance the books.

Keith said that there are real issues arising from the changes, like those currently facing Bolton Wanderers AFC even though their insolvency has been greatly improved beyond the immediate future due to the owner and principal creditor agreeing to write off all debt owing to him. This does make it far easier to bring in new investors to take the club forward.

We told the club that, as a shareholder, the Trust would attend the meeting at which club directors would be chosen. There was a desire amongst supporters to have information about who the directors are and what contribution they could make.

The Trust is grateful for this opportunity to meet the club chairman and chief executive and hope that meetings like this as well as the very successful evening with Russell Slade will continue.

In conclusion, the Trust’s representatives wished it to be recorded that the courtesy and openness with which they had been received was much appreciated as was the openness in approach evident at the recent meeting with Russell Slade and Ken Choo.

Rare BBC Match of the Day footage from more than 40 years ago will be screened at an evening for Trust members in Pontypridd.

Club historian Richard Shepherd will host the evening at the Rose and Crown pub in High Street, Graig, on Thursday, January 21, starting at 7.30pm.

Alongside Richard will be Peter Jackson, who covered Cardiff City for the South Wales Echo during the Jimmy Scoular era. Former Bluebirds legends Gary Bell and Leighton Phillips have accepted invitations to attend and we hope more ex-players can attend.

Trust vice chair David Craig said: “Richard will tell the story of his discovery of the films and restoring of film which everyone thought was lost.

“Excerpts from the restored film covering the period between 1969 and 1972 will be shown in chronological order with Richard giving a brief introduction to each one and then opening a discussion with ex-players.There is 40 minutes of restored film.”

All the matches are from the Match of the Day Wales opt-outs at the time.

Numbers are limited so Trust members wishing to should email help@ccfctrust.org

We’d like to wish all members a happy and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous new year

Brian Burgess, the chair of Supporters Direct, is visiting the Cardiff City Stadium for the Brentford game on Tuesday, December 15th.

SD works with supporters in more than 20 European countries. It helps fans to set up trusts and to have a bigger say in their clubs.

Brian is keen to meet as many Trust members as possible and will be at the Trust office at 6pm.

If any fans is interested in finding out more about the Trust movement and the work of Supporters Direct then come along and meet him. The Trust office is between Gates 4 and 5 at the stadium.

INVITATION

St. David’s Press invites you to join Bryn Law to celebrate the

publication of:

ZOMBIE NATION AWAKES Welsh Football’s Odyssey to Euro 2016

THE DIARY OF A REPORTER SUPPORTER

Wednesday, December 16- Gôl Football Centre, Lawrenny Avenue,Cardiff. 7pm until 9pm

TICKET ONLY EVENT

RSVP: Before December 14th to confirm your free ticket:

post@st-davids-press.wales

GWAHODDIAD

Mae St. David’s Press yn eich gwahodd i ymuno â Bryn Law i ddathlu cyhoeddu

ZOMBIE NATION AWAKES

Welsh Football’s Odyssey to Euro 2016

THE DIARY OF A REPORTER SUPPORTER

Dydd Mercher, Rhagfyr 16 – Canolfan Pêl-droed Gôl, Lawrenny Avenue, Caerdydd. 7pm tan 9pm

MYNEDIAD TRWY DOCYN YN UNIG

RSVP: Erbyn Rhagfyr 14eg er mwyn cadarnhau eich tocyn am ddim:

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Trust member Terry Phillips reports on last night’s meeting between fans and Cardiff City manager, Russell Slade.

Bluebirds manager Russell Slade met with more than 70 club fans and talked openly about his team, the future in terms of new signings and more.

Slade and club chief executive Ken Choo spent almost two hours chatting with supporters representing the Supporters Trust, Supporters Club, Travel Club, disabled fans and Premier members.

“I am committed to the football club, honest everything I do and will be honest with my answers,” said Slade.

Former City player Roger Gibbins was master of ceremonies and took questions from those who attended plus via a Twitter feed.

Slade was relaxed and willing to answer questions on all subjects, while he said of Cardiff’s promotion chances: “It won’t be easy coping against the likes of Derby and Middlesbrough, who spent a lot of money in the last window.

“But with a little more help, extra energy and pace, we can go close. We are certainly capable of a top six finish, no question.”

He also talked about long-serving Peter Whittingham, saying: “Whitts still has an awful lot to offer.He can make people play and makes the team tick. He’s a good player to have around the changing room and out on the pitch.”

And on Sammy Ameobi, Slade said: “When Sammy came to us there were one or two fitness issues. Unfortunately, one of things we had to address was medication.

“He is on new medication now and starting to look fresher, stronger, not struggling for his breath. He has an asthma problem, but that is being dealt with much better.”

Tommy O’Sullivan’s loan spell at Newport and his future with Cardiff was also discussed and Slade said: “I felt Tommy was stagnating a little in under-21 football and important to get him out. He is benefitting massively by playing for Newport.

“We monitor him all the time and our scouts watch them regularly. Tommy is again going in the right direction and proving a real asset for Newport. We will make our decision in January or next summer, but, make no mistake, he is a young player highly thought of at this club.”

Slade talked about the need to keep key players, including Kenwyne Jones, Aron Gunnarsson and David Marshall, saying: “It is just as important to keep good players as bring others in.”

And on negative remarks by some fans he said: “It hurts. I am firm believer if you are going be successful everybody must pull in same direction. The support at away games is magnificent, awesome. At Cardiff City Stadium that support can be hovering a little. People are waiting for things to happen.

“When fans are behind their team it makes such a big difference. It doesn’t affect me because I’m not out there, but it can affect individuals if there is negativity. It can be difficult if you feel supporters are not with you.

“Cardiff fans are a passionate bunch by nature and they can make a difference.”